The 43rd skating season on the world’s largest skating rink has come to an end

The National Capital Commission (NCC) regrets to advise the public that the Rideau Canal Skateway is officially closed for the season. The heavy wet snow of the past 24 hours has weakened the ice and with the continuing mild weather forecast it is unrealistic to expect the ice to rebuild to safe conditions and to resume the skating season.   THE SEASON — The 43rd skating season on the world’s largest skating rink started on January 18, 2013 and lasted 42 days. Over that period, 38 skating days, (including a stretch of 26 consecutive days that overlapped with all three weekends of Winterlude) welcome more than 835 000 visits on the Skateway.   UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS — The ice is thinning. The ice surface of the Skateway can be unpredictable and many hazards cannot be seen by untrained eyes. The NCC urges the public to keep personal safety in mind and remain off the Skateway as it is now closed. Respect the red flags, the barricades and the signs installed at access points. NCC staff and contractors will work over the next few days to dismantle the equipment and infrastructure necessary for the operations of the Skateway. Managed by the NCC since the 1970-71 season, the 7.8-kilometre Rideau Canal Skateway holds the Guinness World Records™  for the “World’s Largest Naturally Frozen Ice Rink”. The world-famous ice surface is equal to more than 90 Olympic sized rinks or 165 621 m2, and is one of the official sites for the Capital’s winter celebration, Winterlude. The NCC would like to thank its official partner American Express® and its sponsors, OLG - Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Giant Tiger and Pepsi for their contribution to this year’s 43rd  skating season on the Rideau Canal Skateway.